APPLICATION PACK

JOB TITLE : Housing Assistant

LOCATION : Based in Brighton with travel to Crawley and Horsham

HOURS : 37 hours per week

SALARY : (see FURTHER INFORMATION)

Starting salary : £20,780*Rising to : £21,391* Rising to : £22,091* Top of the scale : £22,790*

CLOSING DATE : Sunday 30th June 2019

INTERVIEW DATE : Wednesday 17th July 2019

FURTHER INFORMATION All salary scales at Southdown include several points. This recognises the value of staff who we

believe generally develop their skills through experience within the job and the Association. New staff are usually appointed at the bottom of the scale with further increments awarded in April with each year of service, until the top of the scale is reached.

This role requires you to be a driver with access to a car for work.

*Plus £1000 essential car user allowance per year

Personal attributes required for Southdown’s front line Housing Support and Mental Health staff

We are committed to providing excellent and reliable services to our clients and require staff to meet the high standards expected.

Frontline roles in our housing support and mental health services are diverse and at times demanding: Workers carry a caseload of clients, who are dealing with challenging issues in their lives and are often

experiencing emotional distress Various client crises can occur throughout the working week, meaning workers often have to deal with

several challenges at the same time All of our contracts require workers to promptly complete documentation and input information onto

databases Workers need to be able to carry equipment, such as folders and laptops Learning and development on the job requires workers to be open to and reflective upon feedback

about their performance All services are developing and require workers to adapt to changes in their roles

To be a frontline worker in Southdown you must be physically, emotionally and mentally able to carry out your role, and possess the personal resources to be able to manage the demands of your role effectively. This means being able to maintain a calm, positive and contained demeanour at all times with clients and colleagues, and being able to perform consistently with minimum disruption from unplanned absence or personal coping difficulties.

Having the ability to focus on solutions not problems, be open to change, be resourceful, flexible, motivated, and reliable, have good coping skills and be resilient to stress are all key personal attributes needed by our frontline workers.

In order to develop the skills required for the job we will expect you to reflect on your work, look at yourself and what you bring to your work and practice skills in a supportive environment in front of others (e.g. when being shadowed by your manager/a mentor or on training courses).

Applicants must take responsibility for their choice of role and have carefully considered if it is the ‘right’ job for them, and whether they have the necessary aptitude, as well as skills suitable for the job.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title Housing Assistant

Accountable to Housing Officer

Location Brighton working in Horsham and Crawley

Background

Southdown Housing Association offer support and accommodation to people across Sussex who are considered vulnerable. Tenants may demonstrate a wide range of support needs including mental health problems, learning disabilities and substance misuse. Support is provided by staff who visit tenants at home and, in relation to specific tenancy issues, via an allocated Housing Officer. Tenants live independently across the county in owned, leased and managed stock.

Purpose of Role

The Housing Assistant’s role is intended to compliment and work alongside that of the Housing Officer. The role will take responsibility for the property maintenance aspects of our housing management function as well as having an input into a variety of low-level tenancy management issues. The Housing Assistant will be managed by the Housing Officer and they have a joint responsibility for ensuring all housing management duties and responsibilities across the patch are attended to.

To ensure that Southdown’s properties and those we manage on behalf of other landlords are well maintained and managed and that any problems are picked up quickly through regular property visits. This includes completing Communal Area Inspections, Domestic Dwelling Inspections and Pre-Voids.

The Housing Assistant is to assist in facilitating access for Southdown’s approved contractors if required and to undertake a range of tasks and checks relating to health and safety and managing communal facilities.

The role requires regular on-site presence at our blocks in addition to the formalised housing related support. By conducting regular drop ins and increasing the visibility and availability of the Housing Management team, the Housing Assistant role contributes to Southdown’s intensive housing management input. The Housing Assistant role is intended to compliment but not replace interventions from the linked Southdown support services and Housing Officer.

The Housing Assistant is to assist the Property Services team in gaining access for essential safety and compliance checks where tenants have not engaged with the contractors efforts to make an appointment. This will require ongoing liaison with the tenant, the contractor and Property Services and may require the Housing Assistant to be in attendance when contractors make attempts to visit. The Housing Assistant is to lead on contact with the resident when there are only 2 and 1 weeks remaining before the property becomes none compliant.

The Housing Assistant is expected to take on a key role in the early intervention and case management of hoarding cases. The Housing Assistant will be expected to conduct property inspections, documenting the extent of hoarding by way of inspection pro formas and photos, setting action plans and making referrals to other partner agencies such as Adult Social Care and the Fire Brigade.

To assist the Housing Officer in low level rent arrears collection, including where necessary making visits to tenants properties to discuss their arrears and make an arrangement.

As required, to make visits to tenants homes to help tenants to increase their digital skills to increase their access to benefits, employment opportunities and participation in local groups and events. The Housing Assistant will assist tenants to set up email accounts, to gain a basic understanding of the internet, how to navigate around websites and how to stay safe online.

In conjunction with the Housing Officer to ensure that all tenants are visited at least once every year to ensure that we know about any changes in their support needs and to ensure that we are able to check on the condition of the property.

Main Tasks To visit each property regularly to ensure that Health and Safety compliance and fire

regulations are adhered to. To identify communal repair and maintenance issues and forward to Southdown’s

Property Services Team as appropriate. The Housing Assistant will be responsible for checking the quality of repairs carried out to communal areas and liaising with Property Services.

To assist in the collection of repairs satisfaction feedback. To identify, by way of Estate Walk Throughs, potential health and safety issues and

ensure that common areas are kept clear, well-lit and any identified risks are dealt with. To liaise with tenants over reporting repairs and support them to report these to

Property Services. Carry out administration relevant to recording of repair requests and appropriate follow

up To liaise with tenants, contractors and support staff over planned and responsive

repairs and compliance checks in order to facilitate access where required. Supporting with access in person for appointments with contractors, as required.

To liaise with the Housing Officer to discuss, track and collaboratively manage open cases of hoarding, low level rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and other breaches of tenancy.

To case manage some hoarding cases and lead on liaison with other partner agencies to try and secure additional support and possibly funding to assist the tenant and to de-clutter the property.

In conjunction with the Housing Officer and on an ongoing basis, make links to local charities and organisations who may be able to assist tenants to access charitable money and furniture or to link in with local groups and reduce social isolation.

To manage rent arrears cases from gentle reminder letter 1 to formal arrears letter 1, acting quickly to alert tenants to arrears and supporting them to make arrangements, budget and to contact Housing Benefit or Universal Credit where necessary.

To contact former tenants to try and secure payments or payment arrangements to clear former tenant debts.

To manage tenant recharges and send initial recharge letters and monitor payment. Responsibility to inform HO if no payments made/missed payments.

To provide pro-active support to tenants who are typically difficult to engage, using a Psychologically Informed Approach to assist these tenants to maintain their tenancies

Where required to assist the Housing Officer in compiling documents for court. To assist the Housing Officer by conducting interviews and home visits with

complainants, perpetrators and other witnesses in anti-social behaviour cases. In addition to support them with all aspects of case administration including reviewing evidence, saving evidence to the system and writing response letters/action plans.

To gather satisfaction feedback from tenants on how their ASB case was managed. To attend liaison meetings, MARACs and multi-agency ASB forums as required by the

Housing Officer. As required to assist the Housing Officer with scanning visit documentation onto the

system. Arrange for tenants to buy tokens for communal laundry facilities and bank monies

appropriately To manage a key log for their patch and ensure it is kept up to date. To maintain the property information file and update as required. Updating the property

information files we hold to work towards all files being electronic. Assisting the Housing Officer with the specification of void works and void turnarounds

(including arranging keys, completing pre-void inspections as required). Completing a short settling in visit with all new tenants within six weeks of them moving

in. To assist the Housing Officer to complete Do Not Visit Alone Visits Completing empty property checks to ensure our properties are kept safe and secure

whilst void.

To undertake inspection and inventory visits with Property Services following the death of a tenant or in cases of suspected abandonment.

Other To communicate effectively with tenants with a range of support needs Prepare reports where necessary

To attend supervision as set by Southdown Housing Associations’ supervision policy

To adhere to all of the policies set by Southdown Housing Association specifically, Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Data Protection.

To attend team meetings as required

To use the Lone Worker Manager safety system

To reflect on your work by yourself and with others

To attend and participate in appropriate training

To use the department and organisation’s IT systems including Microsoft Outlook, Inform, QL and Self-Serve

This is a developing service and post holders should be aware that their Job Description may change to meet future service development needs.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONHousing Assistant

Essential DesirableExperience

Experience of property management, including liaison with contractors, tenants and other involved professionals.

Experience of working in a supported housing setting.

Experience of working with clients with complex needs and/or challenging behavior

Experience of dealing with low level rent arrears

Experience of dealing with low level anti-social behavior Knowledge

Basic understanding of property maintenance Knowledge of electronic property management systems Skills

Ability to work independently, to prioritise and plan own workload.

Ability to promote a tenant focused service.

Good communication skills in a variety of situations e.g. with tenants, in meetings, liaison with other agencies, representing the organisation.

Good literacy skills in providing reports and correspondence.

Good numeracy skills in managing and accounting for cash and understanding budget information.

Understanding and awareness of confidentiality issues.

IT skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail.

Ability to demonstrate negotiation skills e.g. in order to resolve neighbour disputes

Able to demonstrate a professional approach to record keeping Values and Personal Attributes

Positive approach to working with people with support needs

Belief in the promotion of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.

Commitment to the promotion of tenants’ rights and tenant empowerment.

Confidence to deal with emergency situations when necessary.

An eye for detail, especially in respect of property inspections and potential health and safety issues.

Personal resources to be able to manage stress effectively.

Essential DesirableInnovative and resourceful with a drive to make improvements where possible

Specific Requirements

Able to work 37 per week during Monday to Friday over at least 5 days

Ability to undertake very occasional evening and weekend work e.g. to attend meetings or meet the needs of working tenants.

Able to drive and have use of car (for which mileage allowances are paid).

GENERAL INFORMATION

Southdown Housing Association Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Southdown is also regulated by the Homes and Communities Agency as a registered provider of social housing.

Southdown was established in 1972 and is one of the largest not-for-profit specialist providers of care, support and housing services to vulnerable people in Sussex.

We support people with learning disabilities, people facing mental health challenges and those at risk of homelessness or severe hardship. We provide holistic and tailored care and support that focuses on all of a person’s needs be they physical, economic, psychological, social or spiritual.

Everything we do is driven by the individual needs and aspirations of the people we provide care and support for. We involve our clients in the quality review and ongoing development of our services.

We believe the best way to increase people’s independence is for staff to work alongside them and coach them to develop their skills and confidence to take action and responsibility to achieve their personal goals.

We track and monitor the impact our services have on the people that use them. As well as regular satisfaction surveys, we also undertake detailed research to look at what works, for whom and in what circumstances.

We are a robust and successful organisation with a turnover of £24.5 million. We are governed by a Board of 12 members. We employ over 950 staff who we value and invest in. We have an excellent reputation for staff training and development.

We provide value for money. Whilst we’ve had to find ways to reduce our costs due to public sector budget cuts, we have not compromised on quality. We work with commissioners to deliver cost-savings whilst keeping people’s needs at the heart of what we do.

Contracts with local authorities and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) for East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove supply most of our income to provide our services.

Data Protection Statement The Data Protection Act 1998 requires that any staff handling personal data on others must follow certain principles in relation to the data that they hold. Individuals have rights of access to data that is held on them and rights to claim for damages if various offences occur. This covers manual as well as computerised records.

In implementing the legislation, Southdown adopts a simple and straightforward policy that is, so far as is possible, easy to understand and unambiguous in its application. This is best achieved by adopting the principles of openness, which will, in turn, contribute to the fostering of open and honest management. The Association should not keep on record any information, opinion or judgement that we would not be comfortable showing to its subject and explaining and justifying if called upon to do so.

Application RecordsApplicant records will only be made available to appropriate persons involved in the selection process. Details will be stored securely at all times.

Where individuals have not been successful, applicant records will be held for a period of twelve months.

Diversity and Equality Monitoring Form – This is destroyed after twelve months whether the applicant is successful or not.

Diversity & Equality

At Southdown, we pride ourselves on creating a culture that challenges prejudice and values diversity. We are committed to ensuring that all staff and service users feel welcome and are not discriminated against or treated unfairly.

We recognise that certain groups and individuals in society are disadvantaged because of discrimination experienced as a result of, race, nationality, belief or religion, physical or mental disability, health status, marital status, sex, sexuality, trade union activity, caring responsibilities, criminal convictions unrelated to the job, age or class.

Southdown believes that such direct or indirect discrimination is wrong and will ensure that the policies and practices of the Association in recruitment provide equal treatment for everyone. Adherence to our Diversity and Equality Policy is a condition of service for staff, and a copy of the policy is given to all staff and job applicants.

All managers are trained in anti-discriminatory recruitment practice. The diversity of our staff is monitored to ensure we continue to represent the diversity of the local communities. We are accredited by several national bodies for recruiting staff to best practice standards including Investors in People, Stonewall, Mindful Employer, Positive about Disabled People and Stonewall.

EX-OFFENDERS & THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

IntroductionAs an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, Southdown Housing Association complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. It undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

Southdown is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, as indicated by its Diversity & Equalities Policy Statement, including those with an offending background.

Southdown welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates and would consider those with criminal records. We select candidates for interview based on skills, qualifications and experience.

However, we will exclude candidates who do not comply with the requirements imposed by regulatory bodies that set standards for the staffing of the services we provide.

Recruitment1. For those positions where a Disclosure is required, application forms and job adverts will specify that a

Disclosure will be requested in the event of an individual being offered the position.

2. Where a Disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, we encourage all applicants called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process. We request that this information is sent confidentially to the Human Resources Department and we guarantee this information is only to be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

3. The nature of jobs within Southdown allows the Association to ask questions about an applicant’s entire criminal records including ‘spent’ convictions.

4. We ensure those within Southdown with a decision making role in the recruitment process have been trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences. We also ensure they have received guidance and training in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

5. For shortlisted candidates we ensure discussion takes place on the subject of any offences that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal any relevant information relating to any such offences is likely to lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.

6. We make every subject of a DBS Disclosure aware of the existence of the DBS Code of Practice and make a copy available on request.

7. We will discuss any matter revealed in the Disclosure with the person seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar someone from working with the Association. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the person’s offences.

December 2012 – reviewed May 2018

INFORMATION ON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Pension SchemeSouthdown automatically enrols eligible staff in the organisations pension scheme to which Southdown will contribute 4% in addition to the 5% paid by you. Other alternatives are available to enable staff who are not eligible to join the pension scheme.

Sick PayIn the event of your being unable to work because of illness, you would be eligible for occupational sick pay, as set out below:

Length of Service Occupational Sick Pay0-12 months 10 days (no more than 5 in the first six months)12-24 months 15 days24-36 months 20 days36-48 months 30 days48 months or more 3 months

NB these figures apply to occupational sick pay only and do not affect your entitlement to statutory sick pay.

Annual LeaveOur annual leave year runs from April to March. The initial leave entitlement is 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 full years of service.

If you work part-time you would receive a proportionate entitlement to annual leave and statutory leave.

Training and DevelopmentSouthdown is committed to providing a good standard of training for its staff and you will be encouraged to participate in appropriate training courses. Southdown holds the Investor in People award which acknowledges the emphasis we place on staff learning and development.

The annual Staff Appraisal Review should help reinforce a planned approach to your career development.

All new staff may be required to undertake induction training in house and on specially designed courses.

SupervisionRegular support and supervision sessions are offered to all staff.

Stress ManagementAdvice, support and training are offered to promote staff well-being

New Employee Staff Support ProcedureNew staff joining the Association will be subject to 26 weeks probationary period, which will be reviewed through our Staff Appraisal Scheme at 10 and 22 weeks. Providing that staff satisfactorily complete this period, they will become a permanent member of staff of the Association. On appointment to permanent staff, employees are obliged to give and entitled to receive a minimum of one month's written notice of termination of employment (the notice period will be outlined in the Statement of Particulars of Employment on appointment).

Salary PaymentsYou will be paid monthly on the last banking day of each month. Your salary will be paid by direct transfer to your Bank.

Other Conditions of EmploymentFull details of all conditions are contained in the Staff Handbook.

Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced Checks for Regulated Activity

As a safeguard for our service users, Southdown is required to liaise with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which makes a thorough check into the background of those candidates to whom we have made provisional job offers to work in regulated activity. This is a process we are legally entitled to follow by the Police Act 1997 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Obtaining information about an individual via the DBS is called ‘Disclosure’. A DBS Disclosure informs us of information about criminal behaviour, and the details of such record. This then enables Southdown Housing Association to make a judgement about whether the criminal record is such that we consider there potentially to be a danger to our service users.

Please be aware that having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from working either directly or indirectly with vulnerable adults. This will depend on the type of offence and the circumstances involved.

At Southdown, an Enhanced Check for Regulated Activity is requested for posts such as: Support Workers Senior Support Workers Deputy / Service Managers

Floating Support Officers and Assistants Employment Specialists Senior Posts

Enhanced checks for regulated activity include details of unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer, and local Police Force information considered relevant by Chief Police Officers. This check also requests information from the Adults Barred list which is maintained by the DBS and replaces the former ISA Adults Barred List. Adults Barred List:The DBS Adults Barred List is part of the DBS process for staff undertaking work in regulated activity, and is designed to ensure that anyone who presents a known risk to vulnerable adults is prevented from working with them. It is an offence for barred individuals to seek or undertake work with vulnerable adults and for Southdown, as an employer, to knowingly employ someone on the Adults Barred List.

(Referral of individuals to the DBS Adults Barred List is a statutory requirement where it is considered that the individual has harmed or poses a risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.)

When applying for a post at Southdown please ensure you enter any details of unspent criminal records on your application form.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks are only requested if your application is successful and an Enhanced Check for Regulated Activity is applicable. Further documents will be sent to you at the time a provisional job offer is made to enable us to take up the Enhanced DBS Check for Regulated Activity if this is the case. (Alternatively we will be able to undertake a ‘status check’ with the DBS Update Service if you are registered and you have a DBS check which meets criteria set for the role you are applying for.)

All disclosures provided by the Disclosure and Barring Service are stored securely and destroyed within 6 months of issue (for job roles in services regulated by the Care Quality Commission, we are required to retain information to confirm a DBS Check has been obtained – this will include only personal information e.g. name, address, date of birth, Disclosure number and issue date - no details of convictions or cautions are retained).

By completing and signing the application form for a job vacancy at Southdown Housing Association, you are agreeing to participate in the DBS disclosure process (including a DBS Adults Barred List check), if applicable,

should your application be successful.

OUR VISION

Everyone, no matter what their life experience, background or challenges will have the opportunity to lead their life to the full.

OUR MISSION

To offer vulnerable people the support they need to lead a fuller life

OUR VALUES

Responsive to need Ethical in all we do Dedicated to quality Competitive on cost Focused and stable